Animal cage with wire bar lid

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an animal cage for containing animals having a wire bar lid configured to fit on top. The wire bar lid has a perimeter portion with a first support portion and a second portion. The first support portion has a first top side and a first bottom side. The second inner portion has a second top side and a second bottom side. A plurality of longitudinal wire bars are also provided where the longitudinal wire bars are connected directly to the second bottom side of the second inner portion of the perimeter portion in a single welding procedure.

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No.60/384,972, filed Jun. 3, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an animal cage. The present inventionfurther relates to an animal cage having a wire bar lid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Animal cages for maintaining laboratory animals used for various typesof experimentation or pet care are well known in the art. Wire bar lidsfor cages are designed to allow for ventilation and also to provide ameans for feeding the animals without removing the cage lids.

In order to prevent cross contamination between animals in cages whichare in close proximity to one another a filter bonnet is usually placedon top of the cage wire bar lid. Thus, at the meeting point between thecage or plastic container, the filter bonnet and the wire bar lid thereis an area of the cages where dirt and other contaminants can collect.Contamination in this area is particularly troublesome when conductingscientific experiments which require sterile environments. This is inaddition to the added nuisance of cleaning a large number of cagesbetween experiments.

Another disadvantage associated with standard wire bar lids for animalcages is that they are difficult to manufacture which adds costs totheir production. This added cost can be significant, particularly inlaboratory settings where a large number of wire lid covers arenecessary.

Thus, there exists a need in the field of animal cages, particularlycages for use with laboratory animals, for a wire bar lid that is notonly easy and inexpensive to make, but also has a construction thatreduces the total area where contaminants can collect at the meetingpoint of the cage, filter bonnet and wire bar lid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the drawbacks associated with the priorart and provides an animal cage having a wire bar lid which is easy andinexpensive to make and also reduces the area where contaminants cancollect.

The present invention is directed to an animal cage comprising a cagefor containing animals and a wire bar lid. The wire bar lid isconfigured to fit on top of the cage, where the wire bar lid has aperimeter portion having a first support portion and a second innerportion. The first support portion has a first top side and a firstbottom side. The second inner portion has a second top side and a secondbottom side. A plurality of longitudinal wire bars are connecteddirectly to the second bottom side of the second inner portion of theperimeter portion in a single welding procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation of an animal cage and filterbonnet, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates a side elevation cross-section of a wire bar lid foran animal cage, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a top view of a wire bar lid for an animal cage fromFIG. 2A, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation cross section of a wire bar lid foran animal cage, in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation cross-section of a wire bar lid foran animal cage, in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side elevation cross-section of a perimeter portionof a wire bar lid from FIG. 4, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a side elevation cross-section of a cage, filterbonnet and wire bar lid, of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the present invention provides for an animalcage 10 configured to store animals. Cage 10 can be constructed of anymaterial that is capable of containing animals such as metal (wire cage)or a plastic or polymer material. For the purposes of illustration cage10 of the present invention relates to a plastic cage, however, this inno way intends to limit the scope of the present invention. Cage 10 iscomprised of a base 12 and side walls 14. Each of side walls 14 have anupper portion or lip 16.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1,cage 10 is provided with a filter bonnet 20. Filter bonnet 20 can beconstructed of any material suitable for supporting an air filter forthe top of cage 10. Filter bonnet 20 is constructed of a top openingportion 22 having a lattice support 24 for supporting an air filter 26.Filter bonnet side walls 28 corresponding to the geometric proportion ofside walls 14 of cage 10, extend downwardly from top portion 22 to aflange portion 30 configured to rest on lip 16 of side walls 14.

It should be noted that the embodiment of cage 10 which includes filterbonnet 20 is for use with plastic cages 10. A seal is formed around theupper perimeter of sidewalls 14 between lip 16 and flange 30 of bonnetside walls 28 such that most air entering and leaving cage 10 passesthrough air filter 26 supported on lattice 24. This arrangement helps toprevent cross contamination between closely situated cages 10,particularly when cages 10 are being used to contain animals forscientific experimentation.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, awire bar lid 40 is mounted on cage 10 to provide means for supportingfood and water for the animals stored in cage 10. Wire bar lid 40 iscomprised of a perimeter portion 42, which is preferably constructed ofa thin sheet metal piece which corresponds to the geometric proportionsof lip 16 of cage 10.

Perimeter portion 42 is comprised of a support section 402, with a topside 404 and a bottom side 406, where at least a portion of bottom side406 rests on lip 16 of cage 10. Perimeter portion 42 is furtherconstructed of an inner portion 410, with a top side 412 and a bottomside 414 where at least a portion of bottom side 414 receiveslongitudinal wire bars 44.

Longitudinal wire bars 44 are directly attached to a portion of bottomside 414 of perimeter portion 42, and extend lengthwise from one side ofperimeter 42 to the other. Longitudinal wire bars 44 are preferablyparallel to side walls 14 of cage 10 and length portions of perimeterportion 42, and are preferably perpendicular to width portions of sidewalls 14 and perimeter portion 42. Longitudinal bars 44 are preferablyevenly spaced across the width of wire bar lid 40.

When wire bar lid 40 is lowered into cage 10, bottom side 406 of supportsection 402 rests on lip 16 of side walls 14. Longitudinal wire bars 44,attached to bottom side 414 of inner portion 410, extend across theopening at the top of cage 10 providing a means for storing food sniffsfor the animals contained therein.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2A,horizontal wire bars 41 are attached to the underside of longitudinalwire bars 44, and extend across perpendicular to the axis oflongitudinal wire bars 44 from one side of perimeter 42 to the other.Horizontal wire bars 41 are preferably parallel to width portions ofside walls 14 of cage 10 and of perimeter portion 42, perpendicular tolength portions of side walls 14 and perimeter portion 42. Horizontalbars 41 are preferably spaced across the length of wire bar lid 40,configured to add structural strength to lid 40.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a food receiving area 46 ispositioned in wire lid 40, configured to store food for the animals incage 10. As longitudinal bars 44 extend across the length of perimeterportion 42, bars 44 bend downwardly toward the base of cage 10 for agiven length and then bend back upwardly toward the plane of perimeterregion 42 forming a food receiving area 46 in the shape of downwardwedge. Because food receiving area 46 is formed by evenly spaced wirebars 44, animals in the cage can reach up and get the food between bars44.

It should be noted that this configuration is in no way intended tolimit the scope of the present invention. For example, longitudinal wirebars 44 do not have to be spaced evenly across the width of wire bar lid40. Likewise, the shape of food receiving area 46 need not be in anyparticular shape so long as it is capable of performing the function ofstoring the food for the animals. Any configuration of wire bar lid 40which is capable of performing the necessary functions of storing foodfor the animals is within the contemplation of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, awater stop 48 is positioned in food receiving area 46 such that a waterbottle can be rested against it and provide water to the animals in cage10. A spout hole 49 in water stop 48 is configured to provide an openingthrough which a water spout can be lowered into cage 10 for the animals.

In an another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated inFIG. 3, a wire bar lid 50 is mounted on cage 10 to provide a means forsupporting food and water for the animals stored in cage 10. Wire barlid 50 is comprised of a perimeter portion 52, which is preferablyconstructed of a thin, flat sheet metal piece which corresponds to thegeometric proportions of lip 16 of cage 10.

Perimeter portion 52 is comprised of a support section 502, with a topside 504 and a bottom side 506, where at least a portion of bottom side506 rests on lip 16. Perimeter portion 52 is further constructed of aninner portion 510, with a top side 512 and a bottom side 514 where atleast a portion of bottom side 514 receives longitudinal wire bars 54.Longitudinal wire bars 54, directly attached to bottom side 514 ofperimeter portion 52.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, each wire bar 54 includes an attachmentportion 53 attached to the bottom side 514 of perimeter portion 52,parallel to the plane of perimeter portion 52. Wire bars 54 also includean extension portion 55 extending downwardly, for example at a 90 degreeangle, from attachment portion 53. Each wire bar 54 then bends, forexample 90 degrees, back toward the middle of wire bar lid 50 and extendlengthwise from one side of perimeter 52 to the other. Longitudinal wirebars 54 are preferably parallel to side walls 14 of cage 10 and lengthportions of perimeter portion 52 and perpendicular to width portions ofside walls 14 and perimeter portion 52. Longitudinal bars 54 arepreferably evenly spaced across the width of wire bar lid 50.

When wire bar lid 50 is lowered into cage 10, bottom side 506 of supportsection 502 rests on lip 16 of side walls 14. Longitudinal wire bars 54,attached to bottom side 514 of inner portion 510, extend across theopening at the top of cage 10 providing a means for storing food stuffsfor the animals contained therein.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3,horizontal wire bars 51 are attached to the underside of longitudinalwire bars 54, and extend across perpendicular to the axis oflongitudinal wire bars 54 from one side of perimeter 52 to the other.Horizontal wire bars 51 are preferably parallel to width portions ofside walls 14 of cage 10 and of perimeter portion 52, perpendicular tolength portions of side walls 14 and perimeter portion 52. Horizontalbars 51 are preferably spaced across the length of wire bar lid 50,configured to add structural strength to lid 50.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a food receiving area 56 ispositioned in wire lid 50 configured to store food for the animals incage 10. As longitudinal bars 54 extend across the length of perimeterportion 52, bars 54 bend downwardly toward the base of cage 10 for agiven length and then bend back upwardly toward the plane of perimeterregion 52 forming a food receiving area 56 in the shape of downwardwedge. Because food receiving area 56 is formed by evenly spaced wirebars 54, animals in the cage can reach up and get the food between bars54. This embodiment, maintaining the extension portion 55 of wire lid50, is configured such that it can be used with deeper cages havingtaller side walls 14 and still allowing for smaller animals to reach thefood in food receiving area 56.

It should be noted that this configuration is in no way intended tolimit the scope of the present invention. For example, longitudinal wirebars 54 do not have to be spaced evenly across the width of wire bar lid50. Likewise, the shape of food receiving area 56 need not be in anyparticular shape so long as it is capable of performing the function ofstoring the food for the animals. Any configuration of wire bar lid 50which is capable of performing the necessary functions of storing foodfor the animals is within the contemplation of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a water stop 58, ispositioned in food receiving area 56 such that a water bottle can berested against it and provide water to the animals in cage 10. A spouthole 59 in water stop 58 is configured to provide an opening throughwhich a water spout can be lowered into cage 10 for the animals.

In still another embodiment of the present invention as illustrated inFIG. 4, a wire bar lid 60 is mounted on cage 10 to provide means forsupporting food and water for the animals stored in cage 10. Wire barlid 60 is comprised of a perimeter portion 62, which is preferablyconstructed of a continuous cylindrical metal tube which corresponds tothe geometric proportions of lip 16 of cage 10. Perimeter portion 62 iscomprised of a top side 604 and a bottom side 606, where at least aportion of bottom side 606 rests on lip 16 of cage 10.

Longitudinal wire bars 64 are directly attached to a wire bar notch 63of perimeter portion 62, and extend lengthwise from one side ofperimeter 62 to the other. Longitudinal wire bars 64 are preferablyparallel to side walls 14 of cage 10 and length portions of perimeterportion 62 of wire bar lid 60 and perpendicular to width portions ofside walls 14 and perimeter portion 62. Longitudinal bars 64 arepreferably evenly spaced across the width of wire bar lid 60.

When wire bar lid 60 is lowered into cage 10, bottom side 606 ofperimeter portion 62 rests on lip 16 of side walls 14. Longitudinal wirebars 64, attached to wire bar notch 63 and extend across the opening atthe top of cage 10 providing a means for storing food stuffs for theanimals contained therein.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4,horizontal wire bars 61 are attached to the underside of longitudinalwire bars 64, and extend across perpendicular to the axis oflongitudinal wire bars 64 from one side of perimeter 62 to the other.Horizontal wire bars 61 are preferably parallel to width portions ofside walls 14 of cage 10 and of perimeter portion 62, perpendicular tolength portions of side walls 14 and perimeter portion 62. Horizontalbars 61 are preferably spaced across the length of wire bar lid 60,configured to add structural strength to lid 60.

It should be noted that the continuous cylindrical metal tube shape ofperimeter portion 62, is intended only as an exemplary shape and is noway intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any similarnon-cylindrical shape is also within the contemplation of the presentinvention. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, perimeter portion 62can be formed in a semi-ovular shape having a top side 610 and a bottomside 612.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a food receiving area 66 ispositioned in wire lid 60 configured to store food for the animals incage 10. As longitudinal bars 64 extend across the length of perimeterportion 62, bars 64 bend downwardly toward the base of cage 10 for agiven length and then bend back upwardly toward the plane of perimeterregion 62 forming a food receiving area 66 in the shape of downwardwedge. Because food receiving area 66 is formed by evenly spaced wirebars 64, animals in the cage can reach up and get the food between thebars 64.

It should be noted that this configuration is in no way intended tolimit the scope of the present invention. For example, longitudinal wirebars 64 do not have to be spaced evenly across the width of wire bar lid60. Likewise, the shape of food receiving area 66 need not be in anyparticular shape so long as it is capable of performing the function ofstoring the food for the animals. Any configuration of wire bar lid 60which is capable of performing the necessary functions of storing foodfor the animals is within the contemplation of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, awater stop 68, is positioned in food receiving area 66 such that a waterbottle can be rested against it and provide water to the animals in cage10. A spout hole 69 in water stop 68 is configured to provide an openingthrough which a water spout can be lowered into cage 10 for the animals.

In each of the three wire bar lids 40, 50 and 60 the simplifiedconstruction greatly reduces the construction cost, particularly in viewof the mass production techniques used, by reducing the amount ofprocedures necessary to create lids 40, 50 and 60. In all three wire barlids 40, 50 and 60, longitudinal wire bars 44, 54 and 64 are fixed toperimeter portion 42, 52 and 62 respectively in a single procedure suchas welding. This reduction of production steps allows wire bar lids 40,50 and 60 to be constructed more quickly and inexpensively than standardwire bar lids.

It should be noted that any of the three forms of wire bar lid 40, 50 or60 can be used interchangeably with cage 10 and filter bonnet 20 basedon the particular requirements necessary for the animals being stored inthe cages. For the purposes of illustration, wire bar lid 40 will beused to demonstrate the construction of cage 10 into its operationalform.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1and 6, bottom side 406 of support portion 402 is lowered onto lip 16 ofcage 10. After wire bar lid 40 is in place in cage 10, flange 30 offilter bonnet 20, illustrated in FIG. 1, is rested upon top side 404 ofsupport portion 402, providing an animal cage of inexpensiveconstruction, that is easy to clean and provides a sterile environmentfor conducting animal experiments.

In this configuration, a completed cage 10 is provided with a filterbonnet 20, cage 10 and wire bar lid 40. The meeting point between lip 16and bottom side 406, and flange 30 and top side 404 form a sealed animalcage 10 which is easily to clean and provides limited space forcontaminants to collect. Because lip 16, meets directly with a flatbottom side 406 of perimeter 42 and flange 30 meets directly with a flattop side 404 of perimeter portion 42 there are no spaces forcontaminants to collect such as food particles or dirt assisting inmaintaining a sterile atmosphere for the cages used in experimentationand making cages 10 easy to clean.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes orequivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore,to be understood that this application is intended to cover all suchmodifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An animal cage comprised of: a cage forcontaining animals; and a wire bar lid configured to fit on top of saidcage, said wire bar lid having a perimeter portion having a firstsupport portion and a second inner portion, said first support portionhaving a first top side and a first bottom side, said second innerportion having a second top side and a second bottom side; and aplurality of longitudinal wire bars wherein said longitudinal wire barsare connected directly to said second bottom side of said second innerportion of said perimeter portion in a single welding procedure.
 2. Theanimal cage as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cage is constructed ofplastic.
 3. The animal cage as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cagefurther comprises side walls, said side walls having lips disposedthereon, wherein said lips are further configured to support at least aportion of said first bottom side of said first support portion of saidperimeter portion of said wire bar lid.
 4. The animal cage as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising a filter bonnet having a flange, whereinsaid flange is configured to rest on said first top side of said firstsupport portion of said perimeter portion of said wire bar lid so as tosupport said filter bonnet.
 5. The animal cage as claimed in claim 1,wherein said wire bar lid further comprises horizontal wire barsattached to the underside of said longitudinal wire bars configured toadd stability to said wire bar lid.
 6. The animal cage as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said wire bar lid further comprises a food receivingarea configured to store food accessible to animals stored in said cagewithout removing said wire bar lid.
 7. The animal cage as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said wire bar lid further comprises a water stop havinga spout hole disposed therein, said water stop supported by saidlongitudinal wire bars in said food receiving area.
 8. The animal cageas claimed in claim 1, wherein said first support portion and saidsecond inner portion of said perimeter portion is comprises a thin flatmetal element.
 9. The animal cage as claimed in claim 8, wherein saidlongitudinal wire bars further comprise an attachment portion attachedto said second bottom side of said second inner portion of saidperimeter portion of said wire bar lid.
 10. The animal cage as claimedin claim 9, wherein said longitudinal wire bars further comprise anextension portion extending downwardly from said attachment portion soas to lower said longitudinal wire bars below the plane of saidperimeter portion.
 11. The animal cage as claimed in claim 10, whereinsaid extension portion extends downwardly at a 90 degree angle from saidattachment portion.
 12. The animal cage as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid perimeter portion of said wire bar lid is a continuous cylindricalmetal tube.
 13. The animal cage as claimed in claim 12, wherein saidcylindrical metal tube maintains a wire bar notch for attaching saidlongitudinal wire bars.
 14. The animal cage as claimed in claim 1,wherein said perimeter portion of said wire bar lid is a continuousovular metal tube.
 15. The animal cage as claimed in claim 14, whereinsaid ovular metal tube maintains a wire bar notch for attaching saidlongitudinal wire bars.
 16. The animal cage as claimed in claim 1,wherein said longitudinal wire bars are welded to said perimeter portionby electric arc welding.
 17. An animal cage comprised of: a cage forcontaining animals; and a wire bar lid configured to fit on top of saidcage, said wire bar lid having a perimeter portion having a firstsupport portion and a second inner portion, said first support portionhaving a first top side and a first bottom side, said second innerportion having a second top side and a second bottom side; and aplurality of longitudinal wire bars, said longitudinal wire bars havingan attachment portion and an extension portion, wherein said attachmentportion of said longitudinal wire bars are connected directly to saidsecond bottom side of said second inner portion of said perimeterportion in a single welding procedure, said extension portion of saidlongitudinal wire bars extending downwardly from said attachmentportion.
 18. The animal cage as claimed in claim 17, wherein saidextension portion extends downwardly from said attachment portion at a90 degree angle.
 19. The animal cage as claimed in claim 17, whereinsaid cage further comprises side walls, said side walls having lipsdisposed thereon, wherein said lips are further configured to support atleast a portion of said first lower side of said first support portionof said perimeter portion of said wire bar lid.
 20. The animal cage asclaimed in claim 17, wherein said wire bar lid further comprises a waterstop having a spout hole disposed therein, said water stop supported bysaid longitudinal wire bars in said food receiving area.
 21. An animalcage comprised of: a cage for containing animals; and a wire bar lidconfigured to fit on top of said cage, said wire bar lid having arounded metal wire perimeter portion having a first top side, a firstbottom side and a wire bar notch, and a plurality of longitudinal wirebars wherein said longitudinal wire bars are connected directly to saidwire bar notch of said rounded metal wire perimeter portion.
 22. Thecage as claimed in claim 21, wherein said rounded metal wire perimeterportion is cylindrical.
 23. The cage as claimed in claim 21, whereinsaid rounded metal wire perimeter portion is ovular.
 24. The animal cageas claimed in claim 21, wherein said cage further comprises side walls,said side walls having lips disposed thereon, wherein said lips arefurther configured to support at least a portion of said bottom side ofsaid rounded wire perimeter portion of said wire bar lid.
 25. The animalcage as claimed in claim 21, wherein said wire bar lid further comprisesa water stop having a spout hole disposed therein, said water stopsupported by said longitudinal wire bars in said food receiving area.26. A wire bar lid for use with a cage, said wire bar lid comprised of:a perimeter portion having a first support portion and a second innerportion, said first support portion having a first top side and a firstbottom side, said second inner portion having a second top side and asecond bottom side; and a plurality of longitudinal wire bars whereinsaid longitudinal wire bars are connected directly to said second bottomside of said second inner portion of said perimeter portion in a singlewelding procedure.
 27. The wire bar lid as claimed in claim 26, whereinsaid wire bar lid further comprises horizontal wire bars attached to theunderside of said longitudinal wire bars configured to add stability tosaid wire bar lid.
 28. The wire bar lid as claimed in claim 26, whereinsaid wire bar lid further comprises a food receiving area configured tostore food accessible to animals stored in said cage without removingsaid wire bar lid.
 29. The wire bar lid as claimed in claim 26, whereinsaid wire bar lid further comprises a water stop having a spout holedisposed therein, said water stop supported by said longitudinal wirebars in said food receiving area.
 30. The wire bar lid as claimed inclaim 26, wherein said first support portion and said second innerportion of said perimeter portion is comprises a thin flat metalelement.
 31. The wire bar lid as claimed in claim 30, wherein saidlongitudinal wire bars further comprise an attachment portion attachedto said second bottom side of said second inner portion of saidperimeter portion of said wire bar lid.
 32. The wire bar lid as claimedin claim 31, wherein said longitudinal wire bars further comprise anextension portion extending downwardly from said attachment portion soas to lower said longitudinal wire bars below the plane of saidperimeter portion.
 33. The wire bar lid as claimed in claim 32, whereinsaid extension portion extends downwardly at a 90 degree angle from saidattachment portion.
 34. The wire bar lid as claimed in claim 26, whereinsaid perimeter portion of said wire bar lid is a continuous cylindricalmetal tube.
 35. The wire bar lid as claimed in claim 34, wherein saidcylindrical metal tube maintains a wire bar notch for attaching saidlongitudinal wire bars.
 36. The wire bar lid as claimed in claim 26,wherein said perimeter portion of said wire bar lid is a continuousovular metal tube.
 37. The wire bar lid as claimed in claim 36, whereinsaid ovular metal tube maintains a wire bar notch for attaching saidlongitudinal wire bars.
 38. The wire bar lid as claimed in claim 26,wherein said longitudinal wire bars are welded to said perimeter portionby electric arc welding.
 39. A wire bar lid for use with a cage, saidwire bar lid comprising: a perimeter portion having a first supportportion and a second inner portion, said first support portion having afirst top side and a first bottom side, said second inner portion havinga second top side and a second bottom side; and a plurality oflongitudinal wire bars, said longitudinal wire bars having an attachmentportion and an extension portion, wherein said attachment portion ofsaid longitudinal wire bars are connected directly to said second bottomside of said second inner portion of said perimeter portion in a singlewelding procedure, said extension portion of said longitudinal wire barsextending downwardly from said attachment portion.
 40. The wire bar lidas claimed in claim 39, wherein said extension portion extendsdownwardly from said attachment portion at a 90 degree angle.
 41. Thewire bar lid as claimed in claim 39, wherein said cage further comprisesside walls, said side walls having lips disposed thereon, wherein saidlips are further configured to support at least a portion of said firstlower side of said first support portion of said perimeter portion ofsaid wire bar lid.
 42. The wire bar lid as claimed in claim 39, whereinsaid wire bar lid further comprises a water stop having a spout holedisposed therein, said water stop supported by said longitudinal wirebars in said food receiving area.
 43. A wire bar lid for use with acage, said wire bar lid comprising: a rounded metal wire perimeterportion having a first top side, a first bottom side and a wire barnotch, and a plurality of longitudinal wire bars wherein saidlongitudinal wire bars are connected directly to said wire bar notch ofsaid rounded metal wire perimeter portion.